TCU students among a select group asked to help shape the future of social work

Fort Worth, TX

5/10/2010

By: Stephanie Patrick

Twenty-six social work graduates from TCU are actively helping to shape the future of their profession. In a virtual Student Congress held in conjunction with the national Social Work Congress in April, in Washington, D.C., the students worked with their peers from other colleges and universities to determine a professional imperative for inclusion among social workers’ most important focus areas.

All imperatives approved will receive special attention in the next 10 years and will be decided by a group vote of 400 social work leaders. The Congress in Washington was invitation-only and TCU students attended virtually.

“The one thing they are thinking about more than anything else is how to replenish the work force, as there are so many retirements of experienced social workers happening in the next several years,” said Dr. Linda S. Moore, ACSW, LMSW-AP, professor of social work at Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. “Social workers are older than the average age in other fields, and this class is very interested in how we can recruit more people to the social work profession.”

In addition to finding ways to make social work an attractive career option for younger people, the field’s leaders would like to facilitate younger social workers’ entrance into leadership positions.

The TCU students, all undergraduate students in the capstone class, were among about 400 social work students from 17 institutions who were selected to provide feedback. To inform and educate the students about various issues, Webinars and online resources materials were provided and students discussed the subjects raised.

Much of the national Congress was streamed online live, so TCU students were able to watch. Su Harz, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work, said she enjoyed the brainstorming sessions and found many veteran social workers remain passionate about the field. Harz has learned about various areas of the practice and different techniques of practice, as well as how to implement social change through creating goals and action steps.

“When social workers get together, it should always be a learning process,” said Harz, who may join the Peace Corps and is applying for policy-related and HIV-related positions. “Every time I meet another social worker, I walk away from the interaction a better social worker.

“There is so much to learn about populations, policy, values and skills, that there is always something I learn. And what is fabulous about the brainstorming and Webinars is that I was able to connect with so many social workers without ever leaving my computer or classroom.”

At TCU, there are about 75 students pursuing social work degrees. Dr. Moore said many find jobs in healthcare settings, school systems, adoption centers, child welfare, police departments and shelters, as well as attending graduate school.

“We typically have between 25 and 30 graduates each year,” Dr. Moore said. “About 80 percent or so stay in the area, but we have graduates in probably every state in the union.”

Dr. Moore said the national Congress also is likely to address military veterans’ services. There’s a huge demand for social workers in settings that serve veterans.

Undergraduate Dani Folks, who works as a case manager for the Directions Home Program at Presbyterian Night Shelter in Fort Worth, said the process allows students to learn more about the inner workings of National Association of Social Workers. It also allows students to advocate for the future of the profession.

“It will make us better social workers because it encourages us to be more active agents of change within our profession,” Folks said.